24/08/2014

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? Introductory Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-26

Did Jesus really exist?

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24/08/2014

Jesus – A Historical Figure Nero fastened the guilt of starting the blaze and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus... Tacitus (c. 56–c. 117), writing c. 116 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Jesus – A Historical Figure At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and (he) was known to be virtuous and many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. Flavius Josephus (c. 37–c. 100)

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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Jesus – A Historical Figure ...so he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before him the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others and when he had formed an accusation against them, he delivered them to be stoned. Flavius Josephus (c. 37–c. 100)

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Jesus – A Historical Figure • Géza Vermes – Professor, Wolfson College, Oxford • John P Meier – Professor, University of Notre Dame • David Flusser – Professor, Hebrew University of Jerusalem • James H. Charlesworth – Professor, Princeton Theological Seminary • Raymond E Brown – Professor, UTS, New York • Charles Guignebert – Professor, Sorbonne

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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Jesus – A Historical Figure Atheism was not an option, even for so radical a thinker as Jesus. What was interesting and remarkable about Jesus was not the obvious fact that he believed in the God of his Jewish religion... At least in the teachings that are attributed to him, he publicly advocated niceness and was one of the first to do so. ‘Atheists for Jesus’ By RICHARD DAWKINS - WWW.RICHARDDAWKINS.NET

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Maybe Jesus did not rise from the dead?

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24/08/2014

Body Moved By The Disciples? • A guard was set at the tomb 64

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Body Moved By The Disciples? • • • • • •

A guard was set at the tomb Disciples not expect resurrection of Jesus Convinced others – of a lie? Faced ridicule and persecution Body never found by others Many involved – no-one turned informant

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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Body Moved By... • Joseph of Arimathea? • Why move body? • No body produced

• Jewish/Roman authorities? • Why move body? • No body produced

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Jesus Wasn’t Really Dead? • Roman soldiers thought Jesus was dead 33

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. John 19

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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Jesus Wasn’t Really Dead? • • • • • •

Roman soldiers thought Jesus was dead Spear in side to check Massive blood loss - hands/feet/side/back/head Cool of tomb, 3 days without food or water Grave-clothes, stone, guards Miraculous resurrection?

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

The Wrong Tomb? 40

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man... 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Mark 15,16 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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The Wrong Tomb? • • • •

Right tomb Body of Jesus Peter and John Guards

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Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And .... they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. Matthew 28 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

A Made Up Story? 11

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre... and [he] departed, wondering in himself... 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 37 But they [the eleven] were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. Luke 24 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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A Made Up Story? 5

And that he was seen of Cephas, ...then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; ...then of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

A Made Up Story? 5

And that he was seen of Cephas, ...then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; ...then of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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A Transformation • • • •

Closest disciples not expect Jesus’ death Not look for resurrection Afraid, hiding, disillusioned Not believe when told risen Jesus seen

• Preached boldly to others • Ignored threats, persecution, death • Message spread across the world Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Why does it matter to us?

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Preaching The Resurrection • Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. Acts 1:22 • Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 4:2 • And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: 4:33 • ‘[Paul] seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods’: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 17:18 • [Paul] cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 23:6 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Hope And Resurrection 31

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Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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Hope And Resurrection 13

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But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1 Thessalonians 4

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

1 Corinthians 15 The Resurrection Chapter • • • • • •

The gospel by which we are saved – 1,2 Christ died, was buried, and rose again – 3,4 Eye witnesses to the risen Christ – 5-9 We can be raised because he was raised – 12-13 If no resurrection then no salvation – 14-19 Christ is risen, and we can be raised through him when he returns to the earth! – 20-23 Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

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Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? • • • • • • •

Jesus did rise from the dead He has defeated death We can be raised from the dead We can have immortality through Jesus Christ No wickedness, no sorrow, suffering or death No famine, pollution, war World filled with the glory of God Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept

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